Descriptive Finding Guide for Kenneth Smith Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10135
Daniel Schlachet
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
2014
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Kenneth Smith Personal Papers
creator:
Smith, Kenneth M.
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10135
Physical Description:
0.83 Cubic Feet
There are two separate sized boxes. The majority of the content is stored in the vertical box with dimensions 15”x5”x10.5”.
A large book with plastic binding is in a flat box, approximately 18”x3”x12”.
Date (inclusive): 1935-1975
Abstract: Kenneth Smith has had a distinguished 43-year career in both the aerospace/electronics industry and in public service, working
with Convair and serving as a naval aviator during WWII.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this collection were donated to the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The collection has been processed and is
open for research with no restrictions.
Kenneth Smith has had a distinguished 43-year career in both the aerospace/electronics industry and in public service, working
with Convair and serving as a naval aviator during WWII.
Kenneth M. Smith was born in Sacramento, CA, in 1920 and attended St. Mary’s College to study air navigation and aeronautical
engineering. He worked with Consolidated Aircraft (Convair) in 1939, and was a naval aviator during World War II, but returned
to Convair after the war. He was a corporate Vice President before he left Convair in 1962. In 1964, he became Vice President
of the Aero Commander Division of Rockwell Standard Corp, and in 1970 he was appointed deputy director of the FAA. He joined
E-Systems Inc. in 1972 and quickly rose to the position of President of the Aircraft Systems Group, and as the Vice President
and General Manager of E-Systems Greenville Division. Smith passed away in 2004.
There are two separate sized boxes. The majority of the content is stored in the vertical box with dimensions 15”x5”x10.5”.
A large book with plastic binding is in a flat box, approximately 18”x3”x12”. The majority of this collection is photographs,
either in transparent sheets, or in a scrapbook. There are a handful of newspaper clips and a full newspaper page. There is
a second book with hard binding. Materials are arranged by material type.
A more detailed finding guide is available at http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/collections/collection_item.php?id=152
Digitized images from this collection are available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/sets/72157647605053159/
The SDASM Library & Archives also holds photographs related to the Convair XC-99 in files 01_00083882 – 01_00083895.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War, 1939-1945
Boeing E-4B
San Diego (California)
Convair XC-99
General Dynamics Corporation. Convair Division
Smith, Kenneth M.
Smith, Kenneth M.
Box 1
Item 06 – Scrapbook Album
Physical Description: This is an album dedicated to the awards presented to Kenneth M. Smith at the American Rocket Society in 1961. The album contains
one letter, a few newspaper clips, a 7 page speech by Colonel Hamill, and a 10th Annual Honors Dinner Meeting booklet. There
are 21 photographs with captions capturing the awards ceremony and the celebration. There is a loose caption that cannot be
paired with a photograph.
Item 07 – Book
Physical Description: This book, The History of U.S. Navy Pre-Flight School St. Mary’s, contains hundreds of photographs of officers, servicemen,
other important personnel, and various facilities and activities at the Pre-Flight School in California. A significant portion
of the book covers the importance of many different sports, and physical exercise and training. The book even narrates the
history of several varsity teams of many sports in the mid-1940s. The book also contains Pre-Flight School military activities
including dress parades, watch standing, award ceremonies, as well as military and academic training.
Box 2
Physical Description: Item 08 – Book
This is a book dedicated to Kenneth Smith and his “crazy” adventures when he worked at Convair. The humorous story is accompanied
by cartoonish drawings with funny captions. It follows Kenneth Smith’s tour in Convair Pomona. It also contains a newspaper
article of an incident involving Kenneth Smith, as well as several autographs from his coworkers.